Congestion pricing is back, and no one is happy about it: Letters to the Editor — Nov. 18, 2024

The Issue: Gov. Hochul reviving the controversial congestion pricing program with a reduced fee of $9.

As predicted, Gov. Hochul waited until right after the election to impose congestion pricing — albeit at a reduced fee of $9 (“Gimme Gimme Gimme,” Nov. 15).

That fee is still too high. It brings to mind a line from a Beatles song, “Taxman,” which was meant to be a satire: “I’ll tax the street, ’cause I’m the taxman.”

Back then, who would have thought this ridiculous notion would ever come to fruition? Yet almost 60 years later, here we are.

Maureen Beyer

Woodmere

Of course, it was just a matter of time. What a BS news conference Hochul held Thursday to tell us that she’s lowering the price from $15 to $9. Those tolls could be raised at any time.

I have a suggestion as to where to get new money for the MTA: Instead of building a multi-billion-dollar stadium in Buffalo, apply the state’s portion of that to the MTA! You wonder why the Democratic Party lost big — this is one of the reasons.

Sylvia Kane

Brooklyn

Since 2019, the party line was that it would require a $15 toll for congestion pricing to raise $15 billion. This would help fund the MTA’s $54.8 billion 2020—2024 Five Year Capital Plan.

Now five years later, Hochul claims that the same $15 billion can be raised with a $9 toll. She proudly boasts that this 40% reduction in the price will save commuters and taxpayers a significant amount of money. How do you justify the change in math five years later? No details were provided at Hochul’s press conference to explain this.

The MTA Triborough Bridge and Tunnel Authority and Port Authority of New York and New Jersey periodically raise bridge and tunnel tolls. It will be the same with MTA congestion pricing, until it eventually reaches $15. So much for truth in advertising.

Larry Penner

Great Neck

Do you really think Hochul’s congestion pricing pause was just an Election Day stunt?
When will New Yorkers finally understand that you get what you vote for? Choices have consequences.

J. Mancuso

Naples, Fla.

Our governor is resurrecting the hated congestion pricing plan? How dare she consider charging drivers fees for using public streets while millions are lost annually because of fare beating?

There are many subway stations where almost nobody pays the fare. Many bus riders refuse to pay. Why is this theft of services tolerated?

Richard Rafal

Manhattan

The sneaky move by Hochul to implement congestion pricing after halting it before the elections is typical of Democrats.

She touted her decision to nix the plan in June. But to hear her tell it now, the MTA will cease to exist if the state doesn’t clobber drivers with yet another burdensome toll to augment the agency’s mismanaged budget.

She’s rushing it through now before President-elect Donald Trump takes office, knowing he’s averse to it. She’s doing this on the heels of her scathing comments towards him after he won the election.

Thomas Urban

Wantagh

So basically, the governor is saying: “I was always planning on implementing congestion pricing, but I just did not want to do it before the election.”

She knew if it was done before the election, the voters would not be happy. So she played the citizens of New York for fools. How is she allowed to get away with this?

Steve Rubenoff

Manhattan

I’m a disabled person who needs to drive into the city because accommodations on public transit, for the lack of a better word, suck.

The city has businesses leaving by the score. The occupancy rate for office space is near an all-time low. Still, Gov. Hochul is intent on driving more businesses and employees into other states. Why does she — in her convoluted way — want to add more taxes for working people?

Alan Swartz

Verona, NJ

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